ABB to build plant in Memphis

March 5, 2015 – ABB will invest $30 million in building a new manufacturing site for its Low Voltage Products division in the Memphis, Tennessee area.

The investment will initially create more than 200 jobs, with a further 100 jobs expected to be added over the next five years. ABB's total workforce in the Americas has tripled over the last five years to about 20,000 as the company has expanded across the region, including its $3.9 billion purchase of Memphis-based, electrical components maker Thomas & Betts in 2012.

The manufacturing, R&D and training investment will support the Low Voltage Products business to expand its ABB products offering alongside the Thomas & Betts portfolio to offer a broad range of electrical connection, protection and distribution solutions and technical support offerings.

Brian Herington, Americas Region Division Head, for ABB Low Voltage Products, said “We have successfully integrated two organizations now; building on the distribution and marketing strengths of Thomas & Betts and the technology heritage of ABB.

“We grew our electrical business by more than 8 percent in 2014, in the United States. This investment supports the increasing demand for the ABB portfolio. The combination of ABB and Thomas & Betts really is more than the sum of the two parts. We have exciting growth plans and intend to ensure that we build on our reputation as the supplier of choice in this market.”

The new facility will be located in the Memphis area and will represent more than 120,000 square feet (11,100 square meters). Products from across the ABB low voltage product portfolio will be assembled here, including the world’s first integrated breaker and power manager, Emax2, alongside other breakers, switches; power distribution systems; modular enclosure and DIN rail products; and control products including our new soft starter solution.

In addition to the new facility, ABB will invest in a new customer experience center at its existing Memphis location, which is now the Americas headquarters for the division. The business will upgrade its training suite to accommodate the requirements of its expanding product portfolio and commitment to best in class technical support and training.

Tarak Mehta, President of the Low Voltage Products division of ABB, added: “The acquisition is a real success story for ABB. Thomas & Betts is an integral part of our family, contributing significant value to our customers and shareholders.

“As part of ABB’s Next Level strategy, we are expanding our offering of low voltage products in the United States. This will allow us to provide the full ABB portfolio of products to our customers across the U.S., through the strong distributor network of Thomas & Betts. This investment will boost ABB’s organic growth potential through improved customer focus and a broader portfolio of electrical connection, protection & control products.”

About ABB

ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 140,000 people. The company’s North American operations, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, employ about 20,000 people in multiple manufacturing, service, engineering and other major facilities.